The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-05-28


 of this story they are sane; never meant them to. But as an excursus upon the philosophical deviltry of modern fiction hope no little credit shall be given to the humble author.
 The Garret, Skyshire, April, 1887.
 CHAPTER !.
 From my earliest infancy I have been addicted to spirits; not, let me say, to ghosts that walk the earth un- seen, but to those palpable fluids that brace fellow up and make him wish he were an alderman. To one who, like myself, has enjoyed the distrac- tions of gin-slings and the vagaries of Fourth ward cocktail, it were a work of fsupereorgation to dilate upon the elysian delights of strong drink. I shall leave that to the writers of temperance tracts and the Prohibition party, and proceed with my tale.
 CHAPTER II.
 Coming into subtle communion with the rarefied atmosphere of a " Tom-a -and-Jerry," I went into state of tremendous delirium, and was es- corted by one of a sect, called "peel- ers," into a damp and dismal place, called "The Tombs." After a strange ceremony, in which circle of nobles, called liars," took part, was taken through numerous narrow passages into dreary cell. 'The Tombs :" seemed to have been the home of a long series of innocent sinners. Men who killed their fellow beings to de- crease the population, men who went in strange houses in pursuit of wealth and knowledge were placed within this classic pile. Column upon col umn of dirty stone, strange may windings leading to subterranean pas sages and chambers-such was the place 1 was forced into by the heart less minions of the law.
 CHAPTER III.
 1 tried to sleep, but in vain. I i'm plored the sentinel for small glass of rum-aye, even tried to bribe him, but he said had no poodle, and he could not work the act at a discount. 1 fell back against the uncouth walls, when suddenly from out the flicker ing shadows ill the corner-for it was night and the lamp-lights cast feeble shadows hither and thither-I heard a voice so strangely familiar to me that my hairs stood up like the hairs of a curled feather, and my heart went pit-a-pat with an abnormal fear. ( in ten minutes 1 must be back to the angelic host" (Ah, my fathers voice |; my most prophetic soul, twas dad, indeed.) "Ten years ago I was in this very cell, brought here by sampling the various brands provided by dram dealers. But above, where mundane laws prevail not, have studied the potent charms of liquor unannoyed. In the course of my pleasures most profound, learned that by mixing two drinks chemical compound is made more deadly than potassium cyanide, and more powerful than Paris green. One drop of this mkt ure placed upon the lips will produce a sort of mesmeric inconsistencies, and you can readily see how powerful an agent the mixture may be in the hands of one who possesses the secret. Here is bottle, use it for thy free dom, and think of me-"
 I stood aghast; the strange speech, delivered in low, monotonous tone, affected me so that for long while stood peering into the intangible air, until something at my feet reminded me of the bottle left there by the spirit of my father "Now, Peter, do or die," 1 said-and did.
 CHAPTER w.
 I suddenly assumed torture I felt not. 1 stormed and howled, until my keeper came into my cell It was but the work of a moment to place drop of the precious liquid upon the lips of my jailer, when To he fell into state of coma. l took the wings of the wind and flew into the uttermost parts of my favorite grog-shop, where I soothed my excited feelings with an heroic dose of good old rye. took the bottle of magic home to my cham bers. At thought of my regained freedom fell upon the bed, and wept "copious " tears-bitter, scalding tears but alas kicked over the precious bottle, and there spread upon the floor, and soaking into the carpet beyond all hope of extrication, was my liquid savior.
 Oh, the tremors I went through. Night after night visions of my poor old father spending years of heavenly toll in the preparation of the wonder ful ointment shook me, until loathed the very floor trod on.
 Readers, the result is hard to tell. imbibed again and again to drown my sorrows, and here I am again in my narrow cell in The Tombs !" looking wistfully at the shad dowy corner for a hny,aH for. Snfrr h,.k l.